Carl Heinrich Christoph Bartels (1840-1906) started using the title "hofbuchenmacher" (court gunmaker) in 1899 providing a rough idea when this attractive pistol was manufactured. In the 19th century, the spa town of Weisbaden is said to have had more millionaires than any other city in Germany, Kaiser Wilhelm II made it his unofficial summer home, and it is still among the richest cities in Germany; Bartels would clearly have had many wealthy clients to sell fine sporting arms to. The three-stage barrel has a bead style front sight adjustable notch rear sight, "C. BARTELS KONIGL: HOFBUCHENMACHER" on the upper left, "WIESBADEN & ZELLA" on the upper right, and some blackleaf engraving. The bronze/brass frame has essentially full coverage fine blackleaf scroll engraving. The engraving also extends to the smaller components, and the trigger guard is spurred. The grips are finely checkered. It is marked "641" on the butt, inside the forend section under the barrel, and on the bottom of the barrel. The bore has been relined for .22 rimfire, so the pistol could still be shot and enjoyed today. The design is very similar to the Stevens-Lord No. 36 pistols of the same era which were popular target pistols.

Fine with most of the period refinished blue remaining on the barrel, minor pitting on the muzzle, deep aged patina on the frame, gray and brown patina on the balance, some minor oxidation, and generally only light wear. The grips are very fine and have crisp checkering and minor handling and storage wear. Mechanically excellent. This is a very attractive late 19th or early 20th century target pistol.